Author: icanhe7bg

May 11, 2016 – Wendy G

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I am honored to tell you about Wendy G., an amazing friend of mine who suffered a stroke a little over a year ago and has fought her way back in a way that is truly inspiring. She is the ultimate definition of I CAN and one of my inspirations to finally move forward with my I CAN journey. Please see her message below that was written on the anniversary date of her stroke.

January 28, 2016
Friends,
It was a year ago today that I had a stroke. I was on the floor in my home all day before I was found that evening by my now fiance and was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery to bust up the blood clot that had formed. I spent three days in the ICU and four weeks in inpatient rehab and then I spent 6 weeks in Alabama with my family undergoing additional physical, occupational and speech therapy. I came back to Georgia in March. To say this past year has been difficult is an understatement. I fight daily to not be tormented every second and every minute and every hour and every day thinking about the events of January 28, 2015. It has often consumed my thoughts. I’m often scared and fight huge amounts of anxiety and depression and longing for what I had and what i lost. but the great news is that I have made a remarkable and miraculous recovery! When I was in the hospital, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to ride my bike again, but I have been riding my bike since March. I remember those first rides in March were only about 5 miles long or less, and I was terrified! While I’m not up to my distance I was before, I am happy to announce that I have ridden up to almost 80 miles on a bike ride this past summer and I’m going to ride 100 miles in April with my bike team and I plan to race again in July! I am also going to my race team camp this weekend! 
While I still struggle with a few lingering effects of the stroke, I am working to overcome those. I may be down, but I’m not out!
I often ask and am angered as to why this happened to me, especially after being healthy for a long time – a healthy weight,healthy cholesterol, healthy blood pressure , healthy eating and healthy life style. So why did this happen????It happened because it’s God’s will. And he has a plan for me and for all of us. And what that plan is, I don’t know yet, but I can tell you that I see life and people differently now. My heart feels like it is bigger and is more compassionate! I have also realized that I have countless friends, as many of them visited me in the hospital. I mean I had no idea so many people cared about me! I am truly fortunate. I have the kind of friends who will give me a hug when I need it and a kick in the pants to encourage me to keep moving forward. 
So today is a HUGE celebration of me getting what many people do not get – A SECOND CHANCE!

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor

Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor

Current Blog of Reasons You Can:

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KNOTS AND ARROWS: Bracelets Making A Big Difference

Thank you Becca for being an I CAN HERO! 

On September 8, 2014, Becca was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Dad, (that’s me) is also a young adult cancer survivor. For those of you who know Becca, you know how brave and beautiful her soul is. From day one of her Leukemia Diagnosis, down to her very last few days of treatment (November 13, 2016), Becca has been on a mission. Her mission has always been to promote awareness and raise funds for Childhood Cancer Research. Becca is currently in remission and is determined to make a difference. Childhood Cancer is a cause that will forever be near and dear to our hearts. 

One thing we quickly learned on Becca’s cancer journey is that fundraising for a cause is HARD! Anyone who has ever run a fundraiser knows just how exhausing, frustrating and emotionally draining it can be. Over the last two years we have poured a lot of time and effort into raising funds for research, sometimes yielding very little reward. Any time Becca would try to raise funds for Childhood Cancer Research, she would end up disappointed. Her tender little heart just couldn’t understand why money wasn’t pouring in for her cause. As her Dad, I would often remind her that every dollar raised would make a difference.

Becca has always been a go big or go home kind of girl. With that said, she came up with the idea to start a company that gives back. The customer would “get” and the company would do the “giving”. Becca’s idea coupled with a lot of hard work and determination, turned into a company called Knots and Arrows. Becca’s mom came up with the company name and the idea of selling bracelets. Becca and I have accomplished the rest and will be running Knots and Arrows together.

Arch March 14, 2016

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Today we celebrate Adiba Barney,  CEO at  Silicon Valley Forumand stand with her through her 3rd fight with cancer. Adiba is inspiring, strong, smart, beautiful and a role model for all.

https://www.facebook.com/adiba.cremonini

See her book that describes her life journey beginning from her childhood in Lebanon through her personal battle with cancer.  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/empowerment-what-really-drives-me-you-adiba-barney?published=u

Arch March 7, 2016

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Girl With Half Her Brain Becomes Speech Pathologist as Adult

Read about Christina Santhouse and her incredible determination and giving spirit. You are amazing Christina!

by Terry Turner

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Christina Santhouse half brain screenshot Scientific American

An 8-year-old girl who had the right side of her brain removed in a life-saving surgery has grown up to earn a Master’s degree and become a speech pathologist.

Christina Santhouse was suffering from Rasmussen’s encephalitis — an extremely rare autoimmune disorder that caused 150 seizures every day.

With the condition worsening, doctors agreed the only way to save her life was to remove the right half of her brain.

As she was wheeled into the operating room, Christina was upbeat and excited about getting her life back after having experiencing so many seizures. Dr. Ben Carson — who would one day run for President — performed the surgery.

People who undergo the radical procedure — called a hemispherectomy — usually have very limited options for the rest of their lives. One of Christina’s teachers believed her job options would be limited to answering phones.

But as Christina grew up, she held on to her goals. Even though she lost motor skills on the left side of her body, the use of her left hand, and half her vision, she was determined to do everything her classmates were doing.

Christina learned to walk with a brace, made the honor roll, captain of her high school bowling team, got her driver’s license, and went on to college and graduate school.

She received her Masters in speech pathology in 2010 — just five years after graduating high school.

On the 20th anniversary of the surgery that should have limited her life, Christina is living it to its fullest — buying her own home and just married in 2014. Her husband, Vince Paravecchia, says he didn’t even know about her condition until months after he met her.

She says her work lets her give back to the world that “gave me so much.”

“If I could talk to myself as a seven-year-old,” Christina told Scientific American in 2014, “I think I would say, ‘You’re stronger than you know. You’re going to have difficult times, but you need to find the strength within yourself and when you can’t find that strength, look to the others around you.”

Watch Christina’s video: https://youtu.be/sJuwjOCW6Dg

We CAN stop bullying! Teach your kids to be kind!

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Amazing Kid Stood Up to His Entire Class

There has rarely been a more powerful example of bully quashing than when Jake, who is autistic, confronted his entire class during an exercise in his school’s gymnasium. One of the hardest things to do to a bully is to confront them. Harder still is to do it without making the problem worse. Watch Jake do so eloquently and with more courage than most adults possess.

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This Brave Kid Stands Up To Literally Everyone In His Class For A Very Legit Reason

This Brave Kid Stands Up To Literally Everyone In His Class For A Very Legit Reason

Arch March 4, 2016

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My husband met the sibling of an amazing person yesterday. She told him about her brother and his incredible journey after losing his leg. After reading his story and listening to his video, there was no doubt that I had to feature Jarryd on my website. Jarryd, you have inspired me and you give I CAN Heroes a deeper meaning. Thank you!!!!

Please read Jarryd Wallace’s story below:

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THE ROAD TO RIO

Join Jarryd Wallace on his journey to the 

2016 Paralympic Games

 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Upon first glance of Jarryd, you recognize that he is missing a leg. 
Upon first conversation with Jarryd, you hear that he has gained a life.
Once you begin to follow Jarryd, you will not only be enthralled by his work ethic and ability to achieve, 
but you will be humbled by his desire to serve others and to be a voice for change.

Click :    This is Jarryd’s story.

 What’s yours?

Arch March 3, 2016

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Rising and Falling in Business and Life

CATEGORY: Get Inspired!

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WRITTEN BY: JESSICA WATSON – I recently happened upon the quote, “What defines us is how well we rise after falling,” and it struck me in such a way that I had to ponder it further. Our character, and true nature of ourselves, are best seen in our moments after falling. The idea is so simple, but as adults the concept of falling isn’t one that sits easy with us.

Now if you think about it, when did falling down become uncool? I distinctly remember in grade school that the more scrapes and bruises you had, the tougher you were. And how you got those battle scars meant you could survive anything. Do you remember the stories? Were you hanging from one limb on the monkey bars or doing triple flips off the swing when it all went down?

And yet it seems presently, as adults, we sometimes don’t venture out or take a risk because of the fear of falling. It’s okay to fall. Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners will affirm that falling is a part of the process. Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” And he also said “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Falling isn’t your culprit and certainly shouldn’t be feared. Falling is almost a prerequisite for what is yet to come. There is much more emphasis on what you do after you fall.

When the plan didn’t go according to plan. When there was a detail you missed or a mistake made. When you didn’t see it coming. Then what do you do? Do you bow out gracefully and throw in the towel?

No, you rise. You go back to the drawing board. You reevaluate and recalculate. You pull out plan B (and C and D too). Life is like photography, we use negatives to develop a positive picture.

One of my favorite quotes is “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Meaning we have to step out there, on the belief in what we are doing, and we can’t be afraid to fall, in fact we should embrace it. Falling makes you one step closer, it can take you in a different direction, and can lead you in a way you didn’t know possible when you started. There is opportunity in every fall, if you are willing to rise to the challenge and try again.